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Changes Coming to CNU.orgStay glued to CNU.org for exciting features in the works

Just in time for spring, changes are coming to CNU.org. Over the past month, we've unveiled exciting new features such as our EYE ON THE STREET, an updated blog page, and the premier of our daily digital newspaper, The CNU Daily Review. More good things are in store, with a fresh image bank, new bookstore, and other features in the works. Keep coming back to CNU.org and hitting refresh!

The 19th annual Congress for the New Urbanism, taking place this year in Madison, WI from June 1st-June 4th, is gearing up to one of the most exciting Congresses ever. Drawing on the close relationship Madison has with its agricultural neighbors, CNU 19 will build on the theme of "Growing Local." Themes & Tracks to be explored include Agriculture and Urbanism, Bikeability and Transportation, Architecture and Place Making, and many, many others.

2011 Charter Awards Winners Announced11th Annual Charter Awards Highlight Best New Urbanist Practices; Ceremony to be held at CNU 19 on June 2nd

As anticipation builds for the above-mentioned CNU 19, the winners for the 11th annual CNU Charter Awards have been announced. From a crowded field of over 100 entries from around the world, the jury has recognized seven professional projects and two academic submissions for excellence in urbanism. Accompanied by a $5,000 honor courtesy of The Oram Foundation Inc./Fund for the Environment and Urban Life, the grand prize for professional projects has been awarded to South Coast Rail Economic Development & Land Use Corridor Plan, submitted by Goody Clancy. In the academic competition, first place, and its $1000 reward, also courtesy of The Oram Foundation Inc./Fund for the Environment and Urban Life, has been bestowed upon Strategies for Sustainable Skaneateles, submitted by the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture.

This year's Jury Chair, and CNU co-founder Elizabeth Moule, said 2011's submissions were "very sophisticated about design, policy and sustainability, yet very modest and pragmatic in their solutions," in reference to the current economic environment. All of the recognized projects, including an additional nine honorable mentions, will be feted June 2nd at the 19th annual Congress for the New Urbanism in Madison, Wisconsin. Full details can be found at the CNU Charter Awards site.

In more Awards news, the first ever Groves Award has been issued to former Miami planning director Ana Gelabert-Sanchez and former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz. The duo's work in helping craft the landmark Miami 21 form-based code has left the city with a blueprint for growth well into the future. Named after Ken Groves, the late planning director of the City of Montgomery, Alabama, the Groves Award is issued for outstanding leadership and vision in the promotion of Transect-based planning. Gelabert-Sanchez and Diaz's work in replacing Miami's previously existing code with one that formally incorporates walkability, sustainability, predictability, respect of neighborhood context and a high-quality public realm truly distinguishes them as honorees for this award. The Groves Award designation comes on the heels of their 2010 honor as one of the winners of the prestigious Driehaus Form-Based Codes Award, given by the Form Based Codes Institute.

Join us for the presentation of the Groves Award on Saturday, June 4, at the afternoon plenary at CNU 19.

Fred Koetter, Michael Dennis, and Colin Rowe Recognized for Dedication and Accomplishments in New Urbanism.

For six years now, CNU has presented the Athena Medal to some of the most renowned names in the field of New Urbanism. The mark of honor, named after the goddess who defended cities, recognizes the legacy of pioneers who laid the groundwork for New Urbanism to flourish.

This year, CNU will award the Athena Medal to two of New Urbanism's most respected and long-term champions, Fred Koetter and Michael Dennis. And, for the first time, CNU will also be awarding a posthumous award to one of New Urbanism's first and best advocates, Colin Rowe, a man who kept good urbanism alive when its tenets seemed all but forgotten. Further tying the three together, Rowe was both Koetter's and Dennis' professor at Cornell University, proving the enduring power and impact of education.

Join us as we present the Athena Medal to Koetter, Dennis, and Rowe during CNU 19: Growing Local, in Madison, Wisconsin, on Thursday, June 2nd.

Buffalo to Play Host for CNU 22The Queen City is the Place to Be in 2014

Not many cities can boast of being home to buildings from Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, and H.H. Richardson all situated within their borders. Nor do many cities hold an extensively incorporated Frederick Law Olmstead-designed park system. Buffalo can claim both. And come 2014, The Queen City can also lay claim as host to the 22nd annual Congress for the New Urbanism.

As CNU CEO & President John Norquist stated, "Buffalo is a beautiful city that was once one of America's richest. Metro Buffalo is trying to repair its neighborhoods and suburbs and grow again. CNU needs to be in Buffalo. It is the perfect place to gather to discuss strategies for revitalization."

First, we went to Washington D.C., where CNU CEO & President John Norquist led a broad coalition of partners including the National Town Builders Association (NTBA), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the National Association of Realtors to lobby for Fannie and Freddie reform in raising the minimum threshold amount of commercial space in mixed-use developments from 25% to 45%. Read the full scoop here.

Then, our resident Planning Director Heather Smith was dispatched to Los Angeles, where she participated in a charrette convened by CNU-member Ryan Snyder to create a "master blueprint" for the streets of Los Angeles County. CNU Board member Norman Garrick joined Smith, and they both shared their thoughts on the summit with CNU's Ben Schulman. Read the full interview here.

Back in Chicago, we were thinking of Seattle, remaining at the forefront of the fight to Stop the Big Dig West. CNU has stood tall with Seattle mayor Mike McGinn in opposing the $3.1 billion bored-hole tunnel slated to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Through our outreach efforts, the support of our Cascadia members, and op-ed pieces in Seattle Weekly The Stranger contributed by CNU Board member Scott Bernstein, of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, and our own Norquist, CNU remains committed to preventing this misguided plan from coming to fruition.

And for CNU members like yourself who are thinking of jumping in on all the CNU-related traveling of late, here's your chance:

CNU Members can attend the world's leading showcase for industrial technology for free! Part of the 2011 HANNOVE MESSE exhibition in Hanover, Germany, Metropolitan Solutions is a program intended to spotlight smart solutions and technologies for urban infrastructure. Your pass includes access to the fair's exhibit hall, high-profile forums, and allows you to travel for free on public transport in the Greater Hannover area on every day of your visit. The fair runs from Monday, April 4th-Friday, April 8th.

CNU Chapters are in Full SwingEvents from New England to Minnesota to Texas highlight the activity of CNU Chapters

CNU Chapters across the country have been busily organizing summits, events, and in the case of one local chapter, organizing itself into existence!

A quick glance at the Chapter Map shows that in March alone, CNU-New England hosted a successful Sustainable Urbanism Summit with board members Doug Farr, Dhiru Thadani, Norman Garrick and Russell Preston all participating; CNU Houston put on a sustainable development workshop titled Repair, Retrofit and Light Imprint: Sustainable Development Patters for Houston with Galina Tachieva and Tom Low; and CNU Cascadia will be heading a summit this weekend, March 25-26, drawing Steve Mouzon, Ross Chapin, Kingston Heath, and many others.

April looks to be shaping up just as busy for CNU groups getting off the ground with upcoming events in Minneapolis for CNU Minnesota, and CNU Wisconsin gathering steam with an event in Milwaukee on Sat, April 16th.

Spring registration for CNU-Accreditation is closing Tuesday, March 29th. Distinguish yourself in the marketplace by earning certification that highlights expertise of New Urbanist principles and practices.

Design your place. CNU-A.

Benefits of Accreditation:

Provides a marketable credential to employers and clients

CNU-Accredited Professional Certificate

Optional Innovation Credit in LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND)

Listing on CNU Member Directory as CNU-Accredite

Requirements of Accreditation:

Pass the CNU / University of Miami Exam

Maintain active CNU Membership status

Attend at least one CNU or local chapter event (minimum one day duration) every year

About the Congress for the New UrbanismThe Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is the leading organization promoting regions, cities and towns built around walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. Learn more.